Tipping is a practiced social custom in the United States. Tipping is a voluntary act, but in some establishments it is seen as mandatory or enforced as an additional cost with the service bill. Particularly in the massage therapy industry, it is a highly practiced expectation for clients to show financial gratuity. Some chain establishments pay their employees a below average wage counting on customer’s gratuity to balance therapist’s earnings to a decent wage. Typically in these settings customers tip therapists equal to or more than their company’s pay rate. Unfortunately, since tipping is voluntary some clients can not afford to balance out a good therapists service worth. This leads to embarrassment from clients and dissatisfaction from therapists.

In the typical life of a child, they need to feel a sense of security, love and belonging, to develop self-esteem to continue life's journey of self-actualization. From birth, positive touch has been shown to be vital for success, throughout a humans hierarchy of needs. Children and adults crave their trusted guardians' embrace and affection, their comrades' caring clutch of approval and acceptance, their mentors' reassuring pat-on-the-back, recognizing success of an obstacle or milestone. Positive touch shines the brightest during times of aches, pains, and tribulations. A simple nurturing hug or manipulation of areas full of tension, release healing properties throughout the mind and body for a quicker recovery. As grand as receiving the power of positive touch is, giving it is a greater gift.

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ASNMassage's research is dedicated to understanding the innovated, scientific advances of massage and body work practices. We strive to be active advocates in our community, promoting research and education.